here's abc's steve osunsami. >> reporter: for the thousands of families who now need to rebuild their homes after the storm, hurricane sandy's second act feels especially cruel. >> we all lost our cars at the same time we are all trying to get a car. it is a madhouse. >> reporter: many of these families lost their transportation. more than 250,000 personal vehicles were washed away by storm waters. today used car dealerships are busy with storm victims, adding insult to injury, prices are shooting up because of the storm. >> we are expecting to see higher prices of $700 to $1,000 per vehicle. >> reporter: for every six people who walk into the staten island used car dealership to buy a car, five lost their cars to the storm. mid -- michelle and thomas licari just bought a used minivan that came with 70,000 miles. >> we were hoping to get something for under $10,000. i wind up spending $13,000. >> reporter: it was a happy moment, but costly too. >> i need a car. i have off to go to work tomorrow. so -- i am planning to suffer. >> reporter: nancy zito lost two cars. today she can only a